The match
did not matter, in light of the murderous events in Istanbul twenty-four hours before the
kick-off, and it went against a United side which had
all but lost the plot. The care-free, cavalier, uplifting football which had
lit up the winter months had disappeared and the season was now falling apart
as United sank to its fourth successive defeat. Galatasaray
came into the competition via the ECL but in reality were not that good and
tired rapidly after a quick-fire all action start and in the final quarter
should have been there for the taking. Three times within twenty minutes clear-cut
chances were missed and coupled with the two soft goals conceded was the story
of United’s defeat. Michael Bridges, Harry Kewell and Stephen McPhail all
contrived to miss good openings and Galatasaray on
this form, by United, looked to have booked their place in the Copenhagen
Final.

United were
at full strength, with the exception of long term injured David Batty as Lee
Bowyer returned after suspension and United reverted back to 4-4-2 after the 3-5-2 formation in Prague with Alf-IngeHaaland making way for Bowyer. After surviving the
intimidating appearance and walk onto the pitch to the accompaniment of armed
shield- carrying guards and the baying of the locals, there was a frenzied
start from the home team with inspirational ArifErdem soon forcing Nigel Martyn
to make a flying save and Gary Kelly using his speed to deny HakanSukar a shot. United’s first attack featured a build up by Stephen McPhail and Michael Bridges to release Harry Kewell but Matthew Jones side footed the the cross high and wide. After only twelve minutes the home
side took the lead, when ArifErdem
crossed for the unchallenged HakanSukar to head powerfully home for his ninth goal in
European competition that season. Three minutes later Erdem,
who was causing mayhem in the United ranks was close
with a glancing header and just after it took a fine tackle from Jonathan Woodgate to halt his progress.

Michael
Bridges tested Claudio Taffarel, but Galatasaray immediately swept back up the other end for
Carlos De Oliviera to force a save from Nigel Martyn as he headed in a Gheorghe Hagi
cross from the left. On the half hour Leeds were coming more into the picture with Harry Kewell accelerating into space and ghosting past three
would-be tacklers before firing over, but just prior to the interval they fell
further behind. After EirikBakke
had handled, PenbeErgun’s
free-kick was bundled in by Carlos De Oliviera.

United had
to go all out in the second half to get at least one away goal to lessen their
plight for the home leg, but it was EmreBelozoglu and PenbeErgun who went close soon after the restart. Soon Harry Kewell was in the action and whipped over an inviting cross
but Jonathan Woodgate scooped the ball over, but
United were starting to come more and more into the game. In the fifty-ninth
minute it seemed that Michael Bridges must score when Nigel Martyn’s
long clearance found him in the clear, but he firstly shot straight at Claudio Taffarel and then, with an open goal he contrived to put
the rebound wide of the empty net. Two minutes later Harry Kewell
again danced round a succession of challenges before shooting over and then but
he should have done better with a header from a great Stephen McPhail free-kick.

With twelve
minutes left Harry Kewell linked well with Jason
Wilcox, who had replaced Matthew Jones, to give Stephen McPhail
a perfect opportunity but the Irishman screwed the ball wide. With only six
minutes left Ian Harte was perfectly positioned with
a direct-free-kick but it ricocheted off the wall for a fruitless corner. The
game petered out to a quiet end and Galatasaray would
have been well pleased with their 2-0 advantage, but United would rue their
missed opportunities and sloppy defending.